Saturday's P24 Highlights | Prep Girls Hoops

The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='1262621' first='Maddy' last='Watko'] (2028) from Cathedral High School.   Friday marked the beginning of the second "live" period in July. Grassroots teams from all over the state have traveled to Louisville, Chicago, and Hamilton (OH), among other places, to give it one last go before the 2026 season concludes and school begins in August. Playing a little bit of catchup after a busy weekend, below is a look at some prospects who stood out during Saturday's action in Louisville at the Power 24 Finals.   .    Shania is a talented run-and-jump athlete who makes her living at the defensive end of the floor. She can defend '2' through '4' around the perimeter, even some bigger point guards, plus she can battle '4s' inside, and she's a great pursuing rebounder who can keep possessions alive. Over the years, she has worked on her offensive skillset as well. She is probably most comfortable in the mid-post, where she can shoot or attack, but she is always gaining more confidence around the perimeter. Regardless of where she plays offensively, she will make an impact defensively.     Kyra is an intriguing, athletic, versatile guard prospect. She spent her first two years at South Bend Washington, helping a talented lineup to deep state tournament runs. This past year, she did the same thing in Class 2A for Whitko. She has length, wiry strength, and she moves well in all directions. She is one of those prospects who might not be elite in any one aspect, but she is not deficient either. She figures out ways to contribute each game, whether that's scoring, facilitating, defending, or something else. I still think she's a little under-appreciated in the recruiting world.     Eva has had a fantastic grassroots season this year, and she is essentially THE 2027 class at Homestead. She is extremely long, fast North/South, and she plays with an outstanding motor. She will get on the floor to win loose balls, she'll take charges, etc., but she has been most impressive as a scorer. Eva has always been an accurate shooter, but she has more so "fit in" to lineups, and now she is being much more aggressive. It has become a big problem for opposing teams. Lastly, she is an underrated defender. She uses her length and motor well at that end of the floor, plus she's a tough kid.     What do you say when one of the state's strongest, best athletes looks even stronger and more explosive?? Janaya might be the purest athlete in the state right now, and she has always made plays others can't because of her natural ability. With that said, she has spent so much time over the past couple of years really honing her skillset and becoming a much more versatile player. She is handling it better against pressure, knocking down the jump-shot more consistently from all levels, plus she has improved her discipline and understanding at the defensive end of the floor.     Kierstyn joined this West Virginia Thunder team for the July run, and she has benefitted from playing alongside such an athletic, versatile group. She has a unique toolbox, as she has the height and length to play inside, but she also has the skill to step outside, play a point forward role from time to time, and knock down an open rhythm jumper. She is extremely long, and as she continues to gain strength, look for her to absorb contact better moving forward. As for now, her attention to building that skillset at a young age definitely gives her an advantage each time out.     Speaking of kids who have impressed this Spring and Summer, Maddy has been great each time I've seen her, and she could have a big role for the Lady Irish this coming Winter. She has an athletically strong frame, some length, and she moves well in most directions. She plays with a nice motor, she'll battle with physicality on the boards, but she can also defend bigger '2s', small forwards, and undersized '4s'. Offensively, her handle continues to improve, plus she is shooting it consistently in the mid-post and improving each weekend from around the perimeter.     Lilly is an intriguing young post who colleges should keep tabs on throughout her career. She has broad shoulders and a strong frame, but she also has length, and she will get out and run the floor, chase down loose balls, and make hustle plays. I was impressed with her effort at her size/position in what opportunity I had to see her this past weekend. Additionally, Lilly has solid hands and decent footwork that should only improve throughout her career. And, if she grows another inch or two, even better. Still, at 6-2, she is a solid lane protector and rotates fairly well to help teammates.     Jordyn is one of the better young guards in a loaded Central Indiana, and she should stay near the top throughout her career. She is strong, athletic, and fairly physical for her position, plus she's skilled. She uses her frame well to absorb contact well on attack, on defense, and when she goes to rebound. She also possesses nice length, and she can bother passing lanes as a defender. Offensively, she has touch from the perimeter, but she likes to create some off the bounce, and she can get downhill North/South and finish around the basket. She often plays like a veteran.

The featured image is of Maddy Watko Maddy Watko 5'9" | SF Indianapolis Cathedral | 2028 State IN (2028) from Cathedral High School.